Avenger 36 TF 19 Information

This VTB Grunnman Avenger bears the markings of FT 36 of Flight 19. It was flown by Captain Edward Powers (USMC) and crewed by SSgt Howell Thompson (USMCR) and Sgt George Paonessa (USMC) on 5 December, 1945.

LT Taylor was an instructor, and the mission was to train the other pilots how to fly by dead reckoning. The patrol apparently became lost in the increasingly stormy weather, with Taylor believing they were in the Gulf of Mexico instead of in the Atlantic. Heading east, he had hoped to cross the west coast of Florida, but instead flew further away from it.

When radio stations were at last able to triangulate their positions, contact with the planes ceased for an unknown reason. A PBY search and rescue plane was sent out to either escort the planes home or to pick up survivors, but exploded in mid air.

The mysterious loss of all six aircraft, with no survivors and no sign of the Avengers at all, helped create the mythology of the Bermuda Triangle. Although the loss of the PBY is truly a strange happenstance, the legend of the Avengers themselves is largely exaggerated. The legend claims that all pilots were highly experienced. In truth, they were on a training mission, with only Taylor having more than 60 hours flight time. Even though Taylor had 2500 hours flying time, his record was less than sterling, having to bail at least twice for becoming lost. But more importantly was the change in weather. The legend says it was perfect flying weather, but in reality the mission started out in light winds and the weather became progressively worse as the day went on.

This 1/18 scale model comes with three 4" removable and articulated action figures, representing each member of the lost crew. As a special feature, this set includes an alien of the Bermuda Triangle fame.

Related Aircraft (Models of the same scale and era):

Avenger TF 3

Avenger TF 28

Avenger TF 81

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